SF Giants sign INF Tommy La Stella

According to a report by Alex Pavlovic, the SF Giants are “close to a deal” with free-agent infielder Tommy La Stella. ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed Pavlovic’s report and added the deal is expected to span three-years, which would be the longest deal of president Farhan Zaidi’s tenure. With a clear need for a left-handed-hitting utility infielder capable of playing second and third base, La Stella has long made sense as a fit with the team. In fact, we identified La Stella as one of three cheap Giants targets that clearly filled a need.

Over the past two seasons, La Stella has appeared in 135 games and taken 549 plate appearances. He’s bashed 21 home runs, walked more than he’s struck out (47 walks to 40 strikeouts), and posted a .827 OPS. He’s been at his best, though, against right-handed pitching, posting a .303/.393/.510 with the platoon advantage in 2020.

La Stella’s rise from solid rotational piece early in his career to dominant platoon bat mirrors current Giant Wilmer Flores‘ trajectory leading to his career year with the Giants in 2020. With right-handed hitters Donovan Solano and Evan Longoria currently set to start at second and third base, La Stella’s two best defensive positions, it’s easy to see him platooning with either one.

The SF Giants are “close to a deal” with free-agent infielder Tommy La Stella.

While the Giants signed 27-year-old Jason Vosler, a left-handed hitter with the ability to play third base, first base, and possibly second, to a major-league deal earlier this offseason, the addition of La Stella suggests the Giants will try to sneak Vosler through waivers at the start of the season barring an injury. Granted, with plenty of moves left to be made this offseason, there could be another transaction on the way that changes things.

While terms of a deal have not been reported, it appears the SF Giants are on the cusp of adding veteran infielder Tommy La Stella. La Stella’s defensive versatility, impressive ability to put the ball in play, and power potential all should give manager Gabe Kapler an exciting swiss-army knife to deploy in the starting lineup or off the bench.